Question

Can a dry lawn and garden fertilizer be used safely as ice melt in a horse paddock?

Answer

Safety would depend on several variables: where the fertilizer will be spread, how thickly it will be applied, and whether there is any chance horses would be eating forage or feed off the area where the fertilizer was spread.

I would say fertilizer application would likely do no harm around gates or water troughs. Fertilizer should not be used anywhere near ground where horses might try to graze or where hay is going to be thrown. Consider runoff potential when choosing to use fertilizer as an ice melt.

Pasture-management experts usually recommended horses be taken off pastures while they are fertilized for safety reasons. The primary drawback with fertilizer use is its nitrogen content, and concerns about this are addressed in the article Nitrate and Nitrite Toxicity in Horses.

Instead of using fertilizer as ice melt, consult a local agricultural supply store, as safe alternatives may be available. One idea is to upgrade footing in high-traffic areas where water pools during freeze-thaw cycles. Renovation might have to wait until warmer weather, but thoughtful design of high-traffic areas can lead to a safer environment for horses and handlers.